What is the role of pollution in the occurence of autoimmune disorders and other diseases?

Question

What is the relationship between pollution in the environment and the growing numbers of people who have diseases that were once uncommon?

It appears that autism is vastly more prevalent now. And, there appears to be a dramatic increase in the incidence of autoimmune disorders, such as fibromyalgia and lupus. Is environmental pollution responsible and to what extent?

Answer 1

It is unclear at the moment, but it is thought that pollution (particularly the more diverse forms of pollution we now create post industrial era) can produce antigens which can sensitize the body and cause it to create antibodies. If these antigens are sufficiently like potential antigens in our own body cells, the antibodies can attack our own cells (auto-immune disease).

More pollution is associated with increased incidence of once rare diseases (autoimmune diseases, allergies and allergy related conditions eg. asthma/eczema). This does not mean that it causes the increase.

Environmental pollution is suspected in having a hand in the increase of many illnesses, but it is not the only culprit. There are many causes of these illnesses and in addition, detection is becoming better which leads to an increase in numbers of people diagnosed with these illnesses.

Answer 2

*yawn*